Lexus Quality/Reliability Overhyped
203k here, replaced some suspension parts, car has no rattles. Never replaced door actuaotors probably will have to at some point no biggie. Car drives straight and i got 485miles to a tank on a highway...its a gs400 btw. I did have po420/421 codes replaced rear o2s cleared codes and light has been off for over a year now.
I work on cars for a living and i can tell you german cars are not reliable...period. It sounds like your mechanic dosent know what he/they are doing. Good luck with your S class though or audi(even worst)wait until something goes bad on one of those cars or even regular maintnance. German cars a notorious for oil leaks...my gs has over 200k and its dry as a bone. Price out a timing belt/water pump/tensioner job on 2.8 a4....lol. New 7 series bimmers burn out piston rings...New 2.0t VW/audi engines burn valves.
I work on cars for a living and i can tell you german cars are not reliable...period. It sounds like your mechanic dosent know what he/they are doing. Good luck with your S class though or audi(even worst)wait until something goes bad on one of those cars or even regular maintnance. German cars a notorious for oil leaks...my gs has over 200k and its dry as a bone. Price out a timing belt/water pump/tensioner job on 2.8 a4....lol. New 7 series bimmers burn out piston rings...New 2.0t VW/audi engines burn valves.
I agree with one thing. The suspension on the GS is brutal. $3k spent with every imaginable part replaced and I still have steering wheel shimmy. Mechanically mine has been perfect so no complaints there.
Good to hear from someone that actually has problems with their GS. I have had no such problems with my GS but then again, my car has only seen about 30K miles a year. One of my clients had an 01 GS that he couldn't get to track straight so he took it into a competent alignment shp and they found that the front crossmember was out of alignment. The car had hit or been hit and never reported (he bought the car used). Replaced some mounts and has been running great ever since, just over 250K miles.
Good luck with your next decision.
Good luck with your next decision.
front crossmember? Wow, i've read so many possible solutions to the alignment issue that could be narrowed down to 1 specific thing or a culmination of different things. I don't have the money to keep throwing parts at the car.
I've thrown all of that money into parts and i still have the check engine light and the car still doesn't track straight and goes all over the road.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 481
Likes: 1
From: CA
Sorry you're having all that problems by the way..... I've driven and owned from mitsubishi, honda, nissan, toyota, bmw, mercedes. Now when I bought my lexus 5 years ago with 100k mi on it, I never looked at any other cars (not being a fanboy but just being honest). I normally switch cars every 3 yrs but I kept my GS for more than 5 now. My car is at 190k mi right now and "few" of the problems you have just started coming up recently like sunroof, actuator and ball joint which were easy fix. Most of the maintenance I've done myself and always on time. I never had steering and alignment issues like you did but i think my struts are starting to go bad since its still original. Probably my next car would be an LS. Just my preference since I know alot about these cars already. OP Good luck on your next car purchase. Hope you don't have the same issues as your Lexus. 
To compare an S class to a GS is kind of apples and oranges.
S-class is the top of the line 80k+ car, where as the GS was a mid range luxury car tagging probably around 40k.
I would expect the S to be substantially quieter.
It sounds like you've ran in to a lot of small issues, and since you dont do the labor yourself and possibly may be taking it to incompetent mechanics you got hosed and keep having issues.
For comparison, my buddies 03 325i Sport Package BMW, he has replaced every window regulator twice. Transmission (5spd manual) had to be replaced at 80k, starter went, then I replaced a few small sensors for him myself around 100k, MAF just went bad, not to mention bushings/ball joints/etc.
S-class is the top of the line 80k+ car, where as the GS was a mid range luxury car tagging probably around 40k.
I would expect the S to be substantially quieter.
It sounds like you've ran in to a lot of small issues, and since you dont do the labor yourself and possibly may be taking it to incompetent mechanics you got hosed and keep having issues.
For comparison, my buddies 03 325i Sport Package BMW, he has replaced every window regulator twice. Transmission (5spd manual) had to be replaced at 80k, starter went, then I replaced a few small sensors for him myself around 100k, MAF just went bad, not to mention bushings/ball joints/etc.
Yeah, but it was an old S class, one that could be picked up for about $4,000 today. The GS430 fully loaded was close to 60K brand new. Not exactly cheap. I just don't see the quality in there to justify the price. My buddy has a 2000 BMW 3 series with over 200,000 miles that is quiet and drives dead straight.
Maybe you just drove it into the ground and let all these issues build up instead of taking care of things when they needed to be taken care of?
either that or you happen to get a lemon?
My car has 205+k on it
have also had a SC300 with 245k one with 145k
and one that I turbo'd around 175k and they have been great.
buddy of mine had a SC with 268k and sold it to another friend that still drives it now.
dunno what to tell you though man, I'm presonally pretty happy with most of the lex's and Acura's i've had, maybe try one of those new Buicks..
BTW I don't think Toyota or Lexus is perfect by any means, I had a 03 Camry which was total junk, I sold it after 6 months, Trans started slipping, cars have notorious head leak from stripped headbolts from the factory..
The lex's I have owned have just been great quality IMO and i've had better luck with them.. Alot of my family are Ford Owners and they never have issues with them, the moment i got a Ford it was the worst car i'd ever owned, I tell them to get a Toyota and they hate it..
Different strokes for different folks i guess.
either that or you happen to get a lemon?
My car has 205+k on it
have also had a SC300 with 245k one with 145k
and one that I turbo'd around 175k and they have been great.
buddy of mine had a SC with 268k and sold it to another friend that still drives it now.
dunno what to tell you though man, I'm presonally pretty happy with most of the lex's and Acura's i've had, maybe try one of those new Buicks..
BTW I don't think Toyota or Lexus is perfect by any means, I had a 03 Camry which was total junk, I sold it after 6 months, Trans started slipping, cars have notorious head leak from stripped headbolts from the factory..
The lex's I have owned have just been great quality IMO and i've had better luck with them.. Alot of my family are Ford Owners and they never have issues with them, the moment i got a Ford it was the worst car i'd ever owned, I tell them to get a Toyota and they hate it..
Different strokes for different folks i guess.
I did not drive my car into the ground. I took care of this car, changed all fluids,filters etc. How was i supposed to "prevent" things like door lock actuators and door ecus and Mark Levinson amps randomly going out?
What makes these cars Junk after 90k?
Interior rattles when playing music? how loud? i get a few squeaks here and there but never had a problem. I know the 3rd Gens have a problem with interior squeaks.
The Window motors may be the problem not the ECU.
code P0420- Did you check your o2s?
Seem like the Alignment shop did not do a good job if your steering wheel tilts to the right when going straight.
To sum it up;
No doubt you have had problems with your car. the problems posted WE HAVE ALL HAD. after so many miles things are meant to go, the only difference is maybe yours went out earlier =( Plain Bad Luck)
Who guided you towards fixing your issues? Clublexus? Some people here cant even change their light bulb. Dealership? They are not car gods either, sometimes you bring your car in with one problem and come out with two.
from your post you just want car to be a car and not so much in the whole car tuner scene.. i would lease a new car (any make) and swap every year. Call it a day.
we all have preferences when it comes to manufactures, most of us are limited by money some not. Some of us have had the opportunity to drive many cars, not just your uncles Mercedes to make comprehensive compare.
I have driven a couple of driven Mercedes and owned a CLK-500.. I would NOT swap my GS4 for another.. i will leave it at that
Interior rattles when playing music? how loud? i get a few squeaks here and there but never had a problem. I know the 3rd Gens have a problem with interior squeaks.
The Window motors may be the problem not the ECU.
code P0420- Did you check your o2s?
Seem like the Alignment shop did not do a good job if your steering wheel tilts to the right when going straight.
To sum it up;
No doubt you have had problems with your car. the problems posted WE HAVE ALL HAD. after so many miles things are meant to go, the only difference is maybe yours went out earlier =( Plain Bad Luck)
Who guided you towards fixing your issues? Clublexus? Some people here cant even change their light bulb. Dealership? They are not car gods either, sometimes you bring your car in with one problem and come out with two.
from your post you just want car to be a car and not so much in the whole car tuner scene.. i would lease a new car (any make) and swap every year. Call it a day.
we all have preferences when it comes to manufactures, most of us are limited by money some not. Some of us have had the opportunity to drive many cars, not just your uncles Mercedes to make comprehensive compare.
I have driven a couple of driven Mercedes and owned a CLK-500.. I would NOT swap my GS4 for another.. i will leave it at that
Yes, many guys here on Clublexus have given me advice. Many of the advice has come from long time skilled guys so its not from some noob. Only thing is, i may have an issue, and theres like 10 different possible solutions to the issue. Who has the money to replace everything to fix 1 problem?
I think the majority of buyers who buy a $60,000 Lexus (not me tho, i bought used) wants the "car to just be a car" and not tune. Who buys a Lexus to tune? They didn't even design the GS to be that type of car. Yeah, they called it a "sport sedan" but they put in a big heavy motor with weak suspension parts and basic brakes?
I have not only just driven my "uncles" car before, i have driven many other automobiles as well. It's just sad that I could get in a car thats worth probably $4K now, almost 12 years old, close to 200,000 miles on it and take it for a 5 minute trip to a supermarket and feel like it's so much more car and quality than my GS.
Alignment shop? you mean "shops"? About 3 different ones. Last one being Lexus dealership. If they can't get it right then who can? lol
straight to the transmission shop...
Yeah, but it was an old S class, one that could be picked up for about $4,000 today. The GS430 fully loaded was close to 60K brand new. Not exactly cheap. I just don't see the quality in there to justify the price. My buddy has a 2000 BMW 3 series with over 200,000 miles that is quiet and drives dead straight.
I feel that the Lexus family is a well engineered platform with great build quality. I have owned several different brands and models (and still do), they all have their attributes and downsides.
It's not the window motors. I know so because i replaced the window switch "told to so by dealer", didn't fix the problem, then mechanic said it was most likely window regulator with motor, replaced that, didn't fix the problem, bought the ecu and that fixed it. Again, waste of money on parts.
Yes, many guys here on Clublexus have given me advice. Many of the advice has come from long time skilled guys so its not from some noob. Only thing is, i may have an issue, and theres like 10 different possible solutions to the issue. Who has the money to replace everything to fix 1 problem?
I think the majority of buyers who buy a $60,000 Lexus (not me tho, i bought used) wants the "car to just be a car" and not tune. Who buys a Lexus to tune? They didn't even design the GS to be that type of car. Yeah, they called it a "sport sedan" but they put in a big heavy motor with weak suspension parts and basic brakes?
I have not only just driven my "uncles" car before, i have driven many other automobiles as well. It's just sad that I could get in a car thats worth probably $4K now, almost 12 years old, close to 200,000 miles on it and take it for a 5 minute trip to a supermarket and feel like it's so much more car and quality than my GS.
Alignment shop? you mean "shops"? About 3 different ones. Last one being Lexus dealership. If they can't get it right then who can? lol
Yes, many guys here on Clublexus have given me advice. Many of the advice has come from long time skilled guys so its not from some noob. Only thing is, i may have an issue, and theres like 10 different possible solutions to the issue. Who has the money to replace everything to fix 1 problem?
I think the majority of buyers who buy a $60,000 Lexus (not me tho, i bought used) wants the "car to just be a car" and not tune. Who buys a Lexus to tune? They didn't even design the GS to be that type of car. Yeah, they called it a "sport sedan" but they put in a big heavy motor with weak suspension parts and basic brakes?
I have not only just driven my "uncles" car before, i have driven many other automobiles as well. It's just sad that I could get in a car thats worth probably $4K now, almost 12 years old, close to 200,000 miles on it and take it for a 5 minute trip to a supermarket and feel like it's so much more car and quality than my GS.
Alignment shop? you mean "shops"? About 3 different ones. Last one being Lexus dealership. If they can't get it right then who can? lol
I'll Say this again
YOU NEED A NEW MECHANIC!
When you do find out stick with him...the window problem could of been fixed right the first time if it was diagnosed correctly...thats why you have to pay check out time to take off door panel, test switch,test motor,test ecu.
Wow thats some bad luck I have 2 GS's a 98 GS400 & an 04 Gs430 both have been great cars except for the Sub in the 04 and the 6 disc changer on the 98. Besides regular maintenance I have not had a problem.
